3D Printed Insole Company, SOLS, Announces Trailblazing Partnership with WebPT

Last year we covered the launching of  SOLS, a company that 3D prints customized, corrective orthotic inserts.  After an initial funding round, SOLS secured millions more –raising $8.15 million overall with the goal of creating two divisions: a medical and a cheaper over-the -counter division. It looks like the medical division just got a big boost with SOLS’ recent announcement that it is partnering with WebPT — “the leading web-based electronic medical record (EMR) solution for rehab therapists” — to give more than 43,000 WebPT members (covering 7,000 clinics) access to SOLS technology at a discounted price. This will be a major boost for both companies as WebPT’s user base will become SOLS’ customer base as well.

What makes SOLS a special company is that it allows customers to use an iOS or Android application to video scan their feet. The scan is then turned into a custom insole via 3D printing. You begin by taking a 10 second scan of your feet using a smartphone or tablet. You choose your customization options and then your insoles are 3D printed for you and sent to your doorstep. This new arrangement between WebPT and SOLS promises to cause waves in the medical establishment. SOLS CEO Kegan Schouwenburg states:

“WebPT and SOLS are paving the way and giving rehab professionals nationwide the exciting opportunity to integrate orthotics into their core practices. We believe this partnership allows rehab professionals to expand their treatment capabilities to a more holistic approach. This is an important step towards enabling people everywhere to gain access to quality custom orthotics that allow them to live a pain-free life.”

What WebPT has that SOLS needs is an e-commerce platform — the WebPT Marketplace.  Currently WebPT is the only electronic medical record system offering such a platform, and it is exactly what SOLS needs to expand its reach to medical professionals who really can use SOLS’ services. WebPT members receive excellent group discounts and a secure and efficient purchasing experience due to WebPT’s software interface.

How will this partnership play out? WebPT members receive an iPad with an app that can capture thousands of data points with six images and create customized orthotic soles for their patients. Using NASA grade nylon, SOLS then 3D prints the orders and has them delivered within a week. This partnership is part of a larger transition from oudated paperwork-based to more streamlined and web-based therapeutic options in the medical community.

Heidi Jannenga, WebPT’s COO and co-founder, feels this partnership is a good fit between two women-led and forward looking companies:

“SOLS is revolutionizing the foot orthotics industry and WebPT prides itself in developing technology that has the potential to disrupt the status quo in health care. That’s why I’m excited to help introduce this innovative company to the physical therapy industry. I’m also personally proud to work with another trailblazing woman executive.”

It looks like this partnership between SOLS and WebPT is a step in the right direction. It places more control in the therapists’ hands by offering high-quality, affordable, and direct services to members and ultimately the patients they serve. Customized through 3d printing, yet still mass manufactured, WebPT, which is HIPPA and Medicare compliant, brings SOLS rehabilitative insoles to many more people through this trailblazing business partnership.

Let’s hear your thoughts on this partnership in the SOLS/WebPT forum thread on 3DPB.com.